Now Commenting On:

Do-it-all Trout leads loaded outfield

Mike Trout established himself as one of baseball's best all-around players, and he should continue to be viewed as such entering 2014

By Paul Casella
/
MLB.com |

When it comes to fantasy baseball, no other position sports a more eclectic mix of options than the outfield. Whereas other positions tend to specialize in certain statistical categories, the outfield has players who can either boost your power numbers or hit for average, while chipping in a substantial amount of stolen bases -- or, in some cases, do all three.

The key to putting together a successful outfield is to strike a healthy balance, instead of leaning entirely on a group of power-hitting corner outfielders or speedy center fielders. That becomes a much simpler task if you're able to land Mike Trout with your top pick, but options remain plentiful for those who are less fortunate.

TIER 1: Trout
Trout not only finds himself a cut above the rest in the outfield, but the 22-year-old Angels superstar is the top overall option in all of fantasy baseball. Trout squashed any concerns of a potential sophomore slump in 2013, posting a .323/.432/.557 slash line with 27 home runs, 97 RBIs, 109 runs scored and 33 stolen bases. As if fantasy owners needed another reason to draft the Halos outfielder, Trout also led the American League last year with 110 walks.

TIER 2: Andrew McCutchen, Carlos Gonzalez, Jacoby Ellsbury, Ryan Braun, Adam Jones, Bryce Harper, Carlos Gomez
If you miss out on Trout, this stacked second tier has its share of worthy alternatives starting with the defending National League MVP McCutchen, who is an impressive all-around talent in his own right and has been one of the game's top outfielders over the past three years. After the top two options, selections will depend entirely on your team needs and personal preferences.

Ellsbury seems poised to breakout as a speedster atop the Yankees' lineup, while Jones has established himself as a consistent offensive force and is coming off a career year with the Orioles. Gomez, too, is coming off the best season of his career and is another viable power-speed threat.

If you're more of a risk-taker, Gonzalez is more than capable of producing elite numbers if he can stay healthy, and Braun hit 41 homers and stole 30 bases in 2012 before an injury and suspension cost him most of last year. And, of course, there is Harper, who is hoping to leave behind his knee woes from a season ago and put together a complete superstar-level campaign.

TIER 3: Giancarlo Stanton, Yasiel Puig, Alex Rios, Jason Heyward, Matt Holliday, Justin Upton, Jose Bautista, Jay Bruce, Shin-Soo Choo, Matt Kemp, Hunter Pence, Yoenis Cespedes
As will be a recurring theme with outfielders throughout your draft, choosing between these third-tier players will again come down to personal strategy. Puig figures to garner the most attention of this bunch after bursting onto the scene last year. Though he cooled off down the stretch, Puig still finished the year hitting .319 with 19 home runs after joining the Dodgers in June. If he can find a way to further improve his plate discipline -- and avoid the dreaded sophomore slump -- Puig could be one of the game's most exciting players this season.

Puig, however, is far from the only high-risk, high-reward pick in this group. Stanton is always a threat to lead the league in home runs, but he is coming off a disappointing 2013 season in which he was limited by injuries for the second straight year. The same applies to Kemp, Bautista and Cespedes -- a trio of sluggers capable of putting up MVP-type numbers when healthy, yet, like Stanton, each has struggled with health concerns for the last two seasons.

Rios is coming off his second straight productive season, including a career-best 42 steals last year, and seems to have fully moved past his disastrous 2011 season. Choo, his new Rangers teammate, constantly gets on base -- a trait that should bode well for his fantasy value in Texas.

Granderson is hoping a move across town to Queens will rejuvenate his career after injuries limited the veteran to just 61 games last season. Prior to 2013, he had topped the 40-homer mark in each of the previous two years, so feel free to roll the dice if you believe he can stay healthy. Meanwhile, Beltran will look to continue his steady offensive production in his return to the AL.